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 A cataract is a clouding of the normally
clear lens of the eye. The lens focuses light rays on the retina
at the back of the eye to produce a sharp image of what we see.
When the lens becomes cloudy, the light rays cannot pass easily
through it, and the image becomes blurry.
When a cataract forms, the lens of the eye becomes thick and
cloudy. Light cannot pass through it easily, and vision is
blurred.
Cataracts usually develop as part of the aging process, but
can also come from:
- Eye injuries
- Certain diseases
- Medications
- Genetic inheritance
How can a cataract be treated?
The cataract may need no treatment at all if the vision is
only a little blurry. A change in your eyeglass prescription may
improve vision for a while.
There are no medications, eye drops, exercises or glasses that
will cause cataracts to disappear once they have formed. When you
are not able to see well enough to do the things you like to do,
cataract surgery should be considered. Surgery is the only way to
remove a cataract.
Cataracts cannot be removed with a laser, only through a
surgical incision. In cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is
removed from the eye. In most cases, the focusing power of the
natural lens is restored by replacing it with a permanent
intraocular lens implant.
What can I expect if I decide to have surgery?
Before surgery:
Once you and your ophthalmologist (eye physician and surgeon)
have decided that you will have your cataract removed, a physical
examination is necessary so that he or she may be alerted to any
special medical risks.
Ask your ophthalmologist if you should continue your usual
medications.
Your eye will be measured to determine the proper power of the
intraocular lens that will be placed in your eye during
surgery.
The day of surgery:
Surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. You may be
asked to skip breakfast, depending on the time of your surgery.
Upon arrival for surgery, you will be given eye drops, and
perhaps medications to help you relax.
A local anesthetic will make the operation painless. Though
you may see light and movement, you will not be able to see the
surgery while it is happening, and will not have to worry about
keeping your eye open or closed.
The skin around your eye will be thoroughly cleansed, and
sterile coverings will be placed around your head. When the
operation is over, the surgeon will often place a shield over
your eye.
After a short stay in the outpatient recovery area, you will
be ready to go home. You should plan to have someone else drive
you home.
Following surgery you will need to:
- Use the eye drops as prescribed
- Be careful not to rub or press on your eye
- Use over-the-counter pain medicine if necessary
- Avoid very strenuous activities until the eye has healed
- Continue normal daily activities and moderate exercise
- Ask your doctor when you can begin driving
- Wear eyeglasses or shield as advised by your doctor
How is the surgery done?
Under an operating microscope, a small incision is made into
the eye. Microsurgical instruments are used to fragment and
suction the cloudy lens from the eye. The back membrane of the
lens (called the posterior capsule) is left in place.
 A plastic intraocular
lens implant will be placed inside the eye to replace the natural
lens that was removed (see image at right). The incision is then
closed. When stitches are used, they rarely need to be
removed.
A plastic intraocular lens is placed inside the eye to replace
the lens that was removed.
When is the laser used?
 The posterior
capsule sometimes turns cloudy several months or years after the
original cataract operation. If this blurs your vision, a clear
opening can be made painlessly in the center of the membrane with
a laser (see image at right). Laser surgery is never part of the
original cataract operation. A laser can make an opening in a
cloudy lens capsule to restore normal sight.
Will cataract surgery improve my vision?
Over 95% of cataract surgeries improve vision, but a small
number of patients may have problems.
Complications
Infection, bleeding and swelling or detachment of the retina
are some of the more serious complications that may affect your
vision.
Call your ophthalmologist immediately if you have any of the
following symptoms after surgery:
- Pain not relieved by non-prescription pain medication
- Loss of vision
- Nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing
- Injury to the eye
Pre-existing conditions
Even if the surgery itself is successful, the eye may still
not see as well as you would like. Other problems with the eye,
such as macular degeneration (aging of the retina), glaucoma and
diabetic damage may limit vision after surgery. Even with such
problems, cataract surgery may still be worthwhile.
If the eye is healthy, the chances are excellent that you will
have good vision following removal of your cataract.
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